Superintendent Of NJ School District Dies Superintendent Of NJ School District Dies
Superintendent Of NJ School District Dies The Montclair Public School District is mourning the loss of its superintendent. A message posted on the district website said only that the district is mourning the passing of Dr. Jonathan Ponds. Ponds was principal to students at the Parsons Elementary School in North Brunswick from 2012 to 2015 and also served as a superintendent and principal in Moonachie. Ponds also had experience working as a special education teacher, basketball coach, vice principal, and dean of students, his bio on the Montclair Schools website said. The district's director of secondary education Damen Coope…
Paramus Police's New Deputy Chief Cracked Some Of Borough's Biggest Cases Paramus Police's New Deputy Chief Cracked Some Of Borough's Biggest Cases
Paramus Police's New Deputy Chief Cracked Some Of Borough's Biggest Cases Batman and Robin are back. Back in 1994, when Frank Scott was first hired as a Paramus police officer, Robert Guidetti was his assigned training officer. The two worked nights together, patrolling local streets and highways as Guidetti showed the rookie cop the ropes. Then, when Guidetti was promoted out of the department's intelligence unit, Scott was brought in to replace him. Eventually, Scott was promoted again to captain of the detective bureau where he would continue to play a key role in managing and cracking some of the most involved cases in Paramus — just as he did in June of 20…
Retired Longtime Fire Chief Of Greenville District Dies: Made 'Indelible Imprint' Retired Longtime Fire Chief Of Greenville District Dies: Made 'Indelible Imprint'
Retired Longtime Fire Chief Of Greenville District Dies: Made 'Indelible Imprint' The former chief of a fire district in Westchester who held the position for more than three decades is being remembered for his dedication to serving his community.  Daniel Raftery, the former chief of the Greenville Fire District, died on Sunday, June 16, the department announced. His age was not made public.  A longtime member of the fire district, Raftery originally joined in 1973 and rose to the rank of Chief in 1986. He continued to lead the district for 34 years until retiring in 2020.  In their announcement, the district described Raftery as an "admired and…
NY Senate Proclamation Honors Fallen Golden's Bridge Deputy Fire Chief NY Senate Proclamation Honors Fallen Golden's Bridge Deputy Fire Chief
NY Senate Proclamation Honors Fallen Golden's Bridge Deputy Fire Chief A New York Senate proclamation honoring the life of a beloved former Northern Westchester fire chief was presented to his family months after his sudden death.  The proclamation, prepared by New York State Sen. Peter Harckham, was presented to the family of former Somers Fire Chef and Golden’s Bridge Deputy Fire Chief Raymond Baker, Sr. the Golden’s Bridge Fire Department announced on Thursday, March 13.  Earlier Report - Funeral Details Released For Former Somers Fire Chief: 'Selfless Person' Baker, who died unexpectedly in his sleep on Saturday, March 9 at t…
Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At This New Jersey Fire Department Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At This New Jersey Fire Department
Family Affair: Father, Son Serve Together At This New Jersey Fire Department Helping others runs in the Rice family’s blood.  Matthew Rice, 23, grew up surrounded by it.  His grandmother was an ICU nurse, his grandfather a police officer, and his dad, Dave, 47, is an EMT and firefighter. Matthew himself just graduated with his master’s degree in fire science: Explosion & investigation. One of the best ways for father and son, Dave and Matthew, to spend time together is volunteering with Toms River Fire Co. No. 2 in the Toms River Fire Department. “It can be a challenge at times volunteering together,” Dave laughed, “but it’s a lot of fun, a lot of ca…
US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor
US Presidential Scholars: 6 NY High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor These students have a date with the president. Six graduating seniors from New York were among just 161 high school students across the country to be selected as a US Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s highest honors for students. Established in 1964, the award recognizes distinguished seniors who have shown exceptional accomplishments in areas like academics, leadership, and service to their school and communities. The program was later expanded to include students in the visual, creative, and performing arts, and in career and technical education fields. In the Empire State, the…
US Presidential Scholars: Staples High School Senior Earns Top Honor US Presidential Scholars: Staples High School Senior Earns Top Honor
US Presidential Scholars: Staples High School Senior Earns Top Honor Several Connecticut high school seniors have received one of the nation's highest honors for students.  The three, all from Fairfield County, are among only 161 students across the entire US to be selected as 2024 US Presidential Scholars, the US Department of Education just announced on Thursday, May 9.  The US Presidential Scholars Program was created in 1964 and recognizes a few of the country's most distinguished graduating seniors. Scholars are chosen based on academic success, excellence in the arts and technical education, and commitment to community service and leadership.…
Jersey Shore City's First Female Police Chief Sworn Into New Role Jersey Shore City's First Female Police Chief Sworn Into New Role
Jersey Shore City's First Female Police Chief Sworn Into New Role A new police chief in Cape May County is making history in her city. Chief Katherine Madden was sworn into her new role with the North Wildwood Police Department on Wednesday, May 1. She's the city's first female police chief and the 14th in the city's history. The city said Chief Madden is a lifelong North Wildwood resident and is the daughter of retired sergeant Thomas Flounders. She attended Margaret Mace Elementary School, Wildwood Catholic High School, and Rutgers University. Back in March, Chief Madden completed training at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Sh…
New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored' New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored'
New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored' After a decade of serving as assistant principal, an experienced educator will now take the helm of a Fairfield County middle school. In an announcement on Friday, April 12, Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Toni Jones revealed that Suzanne Coyne would serve as the next principal of Western Middle School effective on Monday, July 1.  Coyne's appointment comes only weeks after being named interim principal on Wednesday, March 13. Jones explained that she instantly rose to the challenge of the role.  "Ms. Suzanne Coyne received overwhelming positive feedback from th…
HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Northern Westchester Non-Profit HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Northern Westchester Non-Profit
HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Northern Westchester Non-Profit A Northern Westchester non-profit organization has honored several accomplished high school students as outstanding teens.  The students were announced as winners during the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester's Annual Youth of the Year Award Ceremony on Tuesday, March 26 at Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua, the organization announced on Friday, March 29.  The three winners chosen by the ceremony's judges were:  Pleasantville High School junior Grace Gerosa, who won the Youth of the Year Award. Gerosa, who has been a club member for a decade, manages…
Civil Air Patrol Cadet From Mamaroneck, Age 15, Youngest To Earn Highest Achievement Award Civil Air Patrol Cadet From Mamaroneck, Age 15, Youngest To Earn Highest Achievement Award
Civil Air Patrol Cadet From Mamaroneck, Age 15, Youngest To Earn Highest Achievement Award A 15-year-old Civil Air Patrol cadet from Westchester is now the youngest in New York to earn the program's highest achievement honor. Cadet Colonel Arielle Nickerson of Mamaroneck, who serves with Westchester Cadet Squadron 1, is the youngest cadet to receive the General Carl A. Spaatz Award in the New York Wing, the Civil Air Patrol announced on Wednesday, March 13.  Nickerson earned the honor based on her leadership skills, moral reasoning, and physical abilities, according to Lt. Col. Thomas Vreeland, who said he has never seen a candidate with "more focus, confidence, en…
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Mount Vernon Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Mount Vernon Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community
Nelson Mandela's Grandson Visits Mount Vernon Schools, Encourages Students To Serve Community Students at two Westchester schools were treated to a visit from the grandson of famed activist and politician Nelson Mandela, who encouraged them to take some time to give back to their communities and stand up for others.  Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, visited the Nelson Mandela/Dr. Hosea Zollicoffer School and Mount Vernon High School on Tuesday, Nov. 21, Mount Vernon City School District officials announced. During his visits to the schools, Mandela discussed his grandfather's legacy and his activism efforts and also participated…